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Stories

Melissa Sue Anderson’s Reply To Michael Landon’s Cancer Diagnosis

by Lauren Novak

Published March 6, 2022

What Melissa Sue Anderson said about Michael Landons cancer diagnosis

Michael Landon and Melissa Sue Anderson worked together on Little House on the Prairie. Even though they had an age difference, they became good friends. While Melissa left the show early, they remained close.

Unfortunately, Michael was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 1991 and his former co-stars gave him a lot of love and support. Years after his death, Melissa opened up about their friendship and how she felt after he shared his cancer diagnosis.

Related:

  1. Melissa Sue Anderson Sided With Michael Landon During Feud With ‘Little House’ Producer Ed Friendly
  2. Melissa Sue Anderson Hated One Of Her ‘Little House On The Prairie’ Co-Stars

Melissa Sue Anderson opened up about Michael Landon’s public cancer diagnosis

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, from left: Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, 1974-83
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, from left: Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, 1974-83 / Everett Collection

She said, “Over the years, even as an adult, I went for advice from him. I think I reminded him of himself when he started out, even though I was much younger than he when he did ‘Bonanza.’ We both wanted to learn so much.”

RELATED: Melissa Sue Anderson Hated One Of Her ‘Little House On The Prairie’ Co-Stars

Melissa added, “It might have been one of the first times a celebrity came out so publicly with an illness. And it just was unfortunate that he only survived three months. I think he did it because he knew he had to. He didn’t want to be found out by the press, because maybe he thought it would have been worse. It was fortunate in a sense that he got to see how much he meant to people.”

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, clockwise from bottom left: Melissa Sue Anderson, Michael Landon, Karen Grassle, Melissa Gilbert, Lindsay / Sidney Greenbush (center), (Season 1, 1974), 1974-83. ph: Carl Furuta/TV Guide/©NBC/Courtesy Everett Collection

While they were close, Melissa also shared a similar opinion to her co-stars, that Michael could be controlling. She believed that his more difficult personality traits were likely caused by his abusive upbringing.

LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, Matthew Laborteaux, Season 1, 1974-1983
LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE, Michael Landon, Melissa Sue Anderson, Matthew Laborteaux, Season 1, 1974-1983 / Everett Collection

She concluded, “Having said all of this, I must say that [Landon] was just like the rest of us – flawed. He was a huge television star with huge insecurities, and underneath it all, a huge heart. Mike Landon, the regular guy, was great. I loved him. He looked out for me when I was growing up … he was always there with a shoulder to lean on, if I needed one.”

RELATED: Michael Landon, Charles Ingalls On ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ Acted Until His Death At 54

Next up: Elizabeth Hurley Reacts To Death Of Ex-Fiancé Shane Warne

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Next Post: Carol Lynley From ‘The Poseidon Adventure’ Tried For A Comeback Before Dying At 77

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